If you’ve never done scrapbooking before and is planning to start with the obsession, there is one sure way for you so as not to stumble into the common pitfalls most beginners have.

Scrapbooking kits are great ways to begin the craft with. They offer the basics for new crafters without having to spend much on them. Often, newbies have no idea of what would complete a page of an album or what theme to use for the entire album itself. With all the options set in their horizon, it is easy for them to get confused and be misled with choosing the “cool” and “pretty” stuffs.

By using scrapbooking kits, you are less susceptible to low confidence when making decisions. This often comes when the new scrapper hasn’t honed his artistic capabilities yet. With the use of these materials, it is easier for the crafter to find his ways through training. These would let him see the possibilities of designs, themes and concepts to draw encouragement in setting their personal and innovative designs.

A scrapbooking kit works well too with people who have always loved the activity yet they are much too preoccupied with things of greater and immediate importance. Having a good combination of everything that you are expected to use can make it a lot easy to mount pictures and memorabilias into layouts without having to think much on the designs. Thus, you enjoy the fun of scrapbooking without having to take long hours typical for the obsession.

Obviously, since the materials in a kit are limited to those of the basics, your creativity too is very much limited. After all, if you would follow the lines that started from scrapbooking kits, you will see that it is linear. Experimentation are not as much welcomed therefore, limiting your creativity.

It is not to say that you have to make use of all the items found in the kit or that it you are strictly limited to those that you see. However, the normal reaction we have when we see the items designed t fit together, we tend not to use our imaginations anymore and be settled on what’s within our sights.

There usually are specific uses for scrapbooking its. They normally work well for typical themes like birthdays, weddings, baby concepts and family themes. If you wish to create more diverse themes, kits won’t get you through there. After all, they’re only there to act as your training wheels. Once you’ve learned the curves, it would be more manageable for you to explore newer dimensions.

If you have plans of taking scrapbooking kits to newer heights, you can tray adding your own touches to them and use them for later projects. Atleast, now you already have fixed choices that you can work on to in case you find the hunch to start with an album. Keep in mind though that the package would coordinate well and will look good together when used.

Few of the basic things that should be found in your scrapbooking kit are as follows:

§ A scrapbook or an album
§ Papers (plain or patterned that has a common theme)
§ Die cuts
§ Stickers
§ Ink and rubber stamp
§ Any type of scissors
§ Punchers
§ Cardstocks
§ Ruler
§ Markers, pens and pencils
§ Envelopes
§ Adhesives
§ Stencils
§ Photos
§ Any sort of embellishments

You may add many other things to these and be creative as to what to add. However, the only problem that you would have to deal with is the limit of your budget. Though scrapbooking may seem handy, the stuffs that you will be using would actually cause you to spend much. Especially when you have the strong urge of buying even those that you actually can’t use.

As you walk your way through the scrapbooking shop, you should keep in mind the mental lists of everything that must be thrown into the basket. It is not a good practice to buy all things that you see nice. You need some planning or else, you’ll find yourself dealing with problems on storage.

And please keep in mind that the common denominator among scrappers is their weakness on papers. Since this component takes the largest portion of use, we all fall in the trap of taking more than what we need.

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Many scrapbook starters would find it difficult to create a layout. If you are one of them, then you may have to read the following to get some easy ideas on what are the different types of scrapbook layouts you can use.

· Patterned paper layout

When using patterned paper as a scrapbook page layout, you should follow the following rules: Never use a paper with a pattern larger than the smallest photographed head; patterned papers are secondary to the photos so never give too much concern if you cannot find the right photos to go on the pattern; and, use plain paper over the pattern as a journal box.

· Nameplate layout

Use large letter tiles to make bold effect on the layout. You can use stamps to put your name on the page. Stencils would also be a great way to do this. Other methods such as using all sorts of embellishments to spell a name, embroidering the name on the page or using fonts like calligraphy would be great.

· Handprint layout

Whether you are an artist or not, handprinting the page would give you unique layout. Use acrylic paints, colored pens, watercolors, or crayons to do this.

To come out neat, you can concentrate the large handprints around the borders of the page. Smaller handprints can come in between.

· Newspaper layout

Create a page that would relatively look like a newspaper’s front page. This would work best if you intent to make a page that focuses on the significant event. Use an Old English font as a heading; somewhat similar to the heading of a newspaper. Then, use a large text for the headline. A Times New Roman font is for the story. Place a photo on the side or at the middle of the page.

· Rub-on Transfers layout

Using rub-on transfers is both easy and tricky. It is easy in the sense that all you have to do is to rub-on and you have an instant layout. It is tricky in the sense that you have to practice in order to achieve a perfect transfer. If you are using rub-on transfers for the first time, then you might as well start on a smooth surface. Once you get the hang of it, move on to the next level and use the transfer on surfaces such as metal, mesh, ribbon, and glass.

If you prefer to use rub-on transfers to these surfaces, make sure that they are adhere enough to make permanent contact. Some brands are stickier than the other.

· Z pattern layout

Arrange all the materials you have on a Z pattern. Meaning, the arrangements should start on the top left of the page and move on a Z pattern.

· Focal point layout

Use one photo as a focal point and move outwards. The focal point can be a large photo. This would give the viewer a starting point on where to begin looking. If you are using 3 or more photos, try to make some arrangements. You can use 3 different photo sizes arranged diagonally, with the focal point on the largest photo. You can also use one large photo with 2 small photos on each side. Or, you can use 3 photos of the same size and make arrangement to highlight a certain point.

· Aging paper layout

Weathering a paper is a popular technique on creating a layout. There are several ways to do this.

One is by damping the paper and ironing it to dry. This would create all sort of weathered look to the paper.

Another way of aging the paper is by rolling it into a ball to make it look wrinkled. Then, sand it with a finest grained sand paper you can find.

There are more scrapbook ideas you can use but these would be sufficient enough to finish your scrapbook.

If you want to make other types of layouts, you can combine 2 or more mentioned types of layouts to make one unique layout. The thing is, use your imagination and creativity to make a good layout and you can assure yourself that what you have made is truly yours.

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Qualities that Determine the Right Hugz for Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking nowadays involves so many materials. In the past, scrapbooking took on a distinctive look as each person was relied on his or her resourcefulness in order to get the right look and the proper details into his or her scrapbook. Nowadays, however, there are different add-ons for sale that the only reason why people achieve distinct looks with their scrapbooks is the fact that each person arranges the scrapbook differently.

Hugz for scrapbooking is one type of the little bits and pieces that companies sell in order to make your creations more attractive. Hugz for scrapbooking aren’t really necessary, but they add a distinctive look and make your scrapbook into something special.

What determines the right Hugz for scrapbooking?

1) Color ? People sometimes choose the right hugz based on their color. But how do these people determine the right color of hugz for scrapbooking?

a) Theme – Going with the overall theme or template of the scrapbook can be pretty crucial factor. Depending on what color, object, event, person, place, or emotion you choose to base your scrapbook on, you need hugz for scrapbooking that will either complement the color of the theme or contrast it for a brilliant effect.

b) Emotion ? The color of hugz for scrapbooking can also be used to reflect the emotion of the memory being portrayed. Remember that there different interpretations for different colors. Here are the different interpretations of colors.

b.1) Red ? This color can stand for courage, honor and loyalty to family. The red is the color of blood meaning it can also stand for passion and violence. Red can also be associated with communism, and revolution.

b.2) Black ? This is often associated with mystery and inner peace. Black is also associated with non-conformism, evil and the night. Black can also stand for sorrow and pain and you can use this color of hugz when you are putting together a scrapbooking page of a very sorrowful time in your life.

b.3) Purple ? This stands for royalty and wisdom. The emotion commonly associated with purple is nobility. Purple hugz for scrapbooking can be used in pages signifying victory over the odds.

b.4) Pink ? The color pink stands for innocence and love. This is because in eastern philosophy, pink is often the visualized color of the love energy which flows from one of the chakras of the human body. A person with a pink aura is often seen as covered in the power of love.

b.5) White ? White stands for purity, glory and peace. It can also signify a new beginning, meaning you can use it on pages where you want to show a rebirth of your life.

2) Size ? Hugz for scrapbooking also come in different sizes. These sizes can actually signify anything. However, it is always up to the crafter to choose its specific meaning. Small hugz are often used for memories and pictures with significance usually only known to the crafter. Small hugz are often used to mark special memories that have a particular sweetness to the crafter, yet may not be understood by any other readers.

Medium sized hugz may be used to mark any significant objects which a few people may be able to relate to. These hugz may be used to mark certain events in a family’s life that bears a certain joy to the different people involved.

Large hugz are used to mark very significant events. These hugz can mark certain turning points in a person’s life or milestones in their history. It may also be used to mark important events which every person can relate to as being emotionally intense.

3) Shape ? Of course, Hugz usually take the form of circles, since they got their name from the marks XOXO in a letter, signifying hugs and kisses. The circle signifies a hug and the X symbolizes a kiss. However, manufacturers nowadays have decided to include a variety of shapes.

Today, the circle shape can signify love. This means that you may use this type of hugz for romantic memories or especially sweet moments. It also signifies magic or reincarnation. The cycle of life also is shown by the circle. Triangles can signify intelligence or heavenly powers, as this is often the symbol for the trinity.

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Kids love to hear all kinds of stories. But one story they probably would want to hear over and over again is the story of their birth. This is why, many would prefer creating baby scrapbook to tell in a more tangible way how they come out in this world. But it does not mean that baby scrapbook is limited to the “how” of giving birth. Even the minor details are important to create a more wonderful baby scrapbook your kid would enjoy and would be proud of as they grow up. And since baby scrapbook is somewhat a kid’s bibliography, your kids will appreciate how much they mean to you.

If you are planning to make scrapbook for your baby to come, then here are the things you should consider so that you wont limit yourself from creating a statistical baby scrapbook (baby scrapbook that only tells the time, weight and size of the baby).

To create a baby scrapbook, you should define your starting point. It could be the baby shower or the day of his or her birth. You should also set when to end the scrapbook. Usually, baby scrapbook would cover the child’s first year but you can always go longer if you want to. In the process, you should collect things that can be included on the scrapbook like the gifts you receive on the baby shower. Some would even include the baby’s first haircut and other events that the child has experienced for the first time.

Choose a color that would define the theme of the scrapbook. The usual color of a baby boy’s scrapbook is powder blue while the baby girl’s scrapbook is pink. You may or may not adapt these colors and use another.

Now you ask: “What should I include on the scrapbook?”

Most baby scrapbook would include the details about the baby upon birth. These are, the length at birth, weight at birth, time of birth, the length of labor, the color of the eyes and hair, and doctor’s name and the names of the staff who assisted the doctor in giving birth. Plus of course, the pictures of you and your child at the hospital after you gave birth.

Some would include pictures of you while you are still pregnant. Moments such as this will keep your child reminded how you, as a mother took care of him/her while s/he was still in your womb.

Other moments you should include are the photos of the baby’s growth month by month with a size reference (usually a stuffed toy), photos of the house you live in and the nursery, photos of the family members including the baby, photos of the baby sleeping, photos taken while the baby is bathing, photos with his or her favorite toys, and other happy moments that include him or her.

As was mentioned above, many baby scrapbooks would include the baby’s firsts. These are the baby’s first smile, first bath first crawl, first roll over, first sat up, first steps, and so forth. Baby scrapbook can include his or her favorites like the favorite song, toys, bedtime stories, and the family tree.

The nice thing about this is that you can always add anything that is related to your baby as he or she is growing up.

For other significant events that may or may not be captured by memorabilia can be written.

You can write about the meaning and significance of the name, your length of stay at the hospital, other people who were present at the hospital, their reaction after you gave birth, their feelings after they carried your baby, and the way they entertain the baby. You can also write about stories that would further illustrate those events that are captured in photos. Stories like the baby’s first outings, babysitting, and mannerisms (did he or she often suck his or her thumb? and things like these).

You have the photos, the things to write about and the scrapbook to put it together; what else?

Well, creating baby scrapbook is really a personal thing so it is up to you what other things you want to add for as long as your child will know how did s/he grow up.

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